In such a sensitive geopolitical context, this match between the France team and Israel went far beyond the strict framework of football. Since its inauguration more than 25 years ago, the Stade de France has rarely sounded so hollow. The meeting this Thursday evening almost resembled a parade of political figures, like the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron, who came to pass on his messages. But there was a match to play, too. And it is on the green rectangle that the Blues were expected.
In a period of transition, marked by the absence of captain Kylian Mbappé and the international retirement of vice-captain Antoine Griezmann, the France team is in search of benchmarks. In its results, obviously, despite a fairly decent record of 3 victories in 4 matches since the start of the school year. In his game, above all, which has not won over many people in 2024. And in his connections, too, between a few executives who are starting to gain ground and the new guys still acclimatizing.
The Blues qualified after a lackluster evening
It was also with a well-mixed eleven that Deschamps approached this match. If the defensive sector was well oiled with the presence of Koundé, Konaté, Upamecano and Théo Hernandez in front of the immovable Maignan, the midfield and the attack were much more experimental. Warren Zaire-Emery and Eduardo Camavinga supported interim captain N’Golo Kanté in a completely new midfield. In front, it was Randal Kolo Muani who had been returned to the front, accompanied by Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola.
This formula did not bear fruit. Without necessarily lacking in attitude, the French team was unable to force the Israeli barrier. He lacked a bit of everything. Speed and inspiration, already, since the clear opportunities were first counted on the fingers of one hand. The first period was even insipid, apart from a few shivers here and there, a header from Kolo Muani (19th), a too soft shot from N’Golo Kanté (21st), or this triple opportunity for the Olise-Kolo Muani trio -Barcola (43rd).
The second act was a little more consistent, but this time, it was the efficiency in the last gesture that the Blues lacked. And it must also be recognized that Peretz, the opposing goalkeeper, did the job in his cages, multiplying the saves on mid-distance shots from Camavinga and point-blank shots from Zaire-Emery (75th) or Nkunku (90th+ 8). Frustrating, for these Blues who are sometimes too tender, and often insufficient. The only bright spot in this foggy autumn sky: the Blues are guaranteed to play in the Final 8 of the Nations League after Italy’s victory in Belgium (1-0). They will return to the Nazionale on Sunday, at San Siro. Something else will have to be shown.
